Lionel Scaloni, the coach of the Argentine national team, confirmed that his team is fully focused on facing Switzerland in the quarter-finals of the 2026 World Cup, stressing that the match will be difficult against a team that has experience and physical strength.
Scaloni explained in the press conference that the starting lineup will not witness major changes compared to facing Egypt, with the possibility of making only one or two amendments, stressing that the goal of all the changes he made during the tournament was to improve the team’s performance and deal with… Injuries.
The Argentine coach commented on Lamine Yamal’s statements in which he described the confrontation between Spain and France as an “early final,” saying that he agreed with him, noting that the two teams were among the most prominent candidates for the title since the beginning of the tournament.
He also recalled memories of winning the Copa America, considering that the victory over Brazil in the 2021 final represented a turning point in the team’s career, because it ended years of failure in the final matches.
And about Switzerland, Scaloni stressed that the opponent has organization and experience, and confronting him will not be easy. He also praised what the duo Lautaro Martinez and Julián Alvarez are offering, and left the door open to the possibility of relying on them together.
He talked about Lionel Messi, stressing that the captain of the national team is still making a difference despite his advanced age, and he said that the team helps him to provide his best levels, adding: “When Messi feels the challenge, he turns into an exceptional player, and as long as he has the passion, he will remain.” The best.”
Scaloni also praised the level presented by the Spanish team, considering that it is improving match after match despite the climatic conditions. He also described the confrontation with Egypt as one of the most emotionally impactful matches of the tournament.
He pointed out that long travel and time changes are among the most prominent difficulties facing the teams in the tournament, at the same time refusing to talk about the existence of any arbitration courtesies for Argentina, stressing that video technology has made such accusations irrelevant. Basis.
Scaloni concluded his statements by emphasizing that team spirit was one of the most important secrets of the team’s success, noting that the atmosphere in which the players live outside the field contributes to enhancing harmony, which reflects positively on performance during matches.